Blog Tour: You’ll Be the Death of Me by Karen McManus

Hello and welcome to my stop on the You’ll Be the Death of Me blog tour!  Keep up to date with the rest of the tour using the hashtags #YoullBeTheDeathOfMe #TheWriteReads.

Ivy, Mateo and Cal used to be close – best friends back in middle school.

Now all they have in common is a bad day. So for old time’s sake they skip school together – one last time.

But when the trio spot Brian ‘Boney’ Mahoney ditching class too, they follow him – right into a murder scene.

They all have a connection to the victim. And they’re ALL hiding something.

When their day of freedom turns deadly, it’s only a matter of time before the truth comes out . . .

I love Karen McManus and devoured the rest of her books, so I was delighted to receive an early copy of You’ll Be the Death of Me.  This novel was a fantastic and unputdownable page turner.  I almost read it in one sitting and if I hadn’t had to sleep, I’m sure I would have!  The action begins almost right from the off and as soon as the dead body is found, you’ll be hooked.  Karen McManus has a way of writing that puts the reader right on the edge of their seat as they try to work out what on earth is going on and solve it before the main characters!  I confess…I didn’t.  She’s setting such a high bar going forwards – I’m expecting perfectly gripping thrillers!

You’ll Be the Death of Me has a cast of three main characters – three high schoolers who used to be friends back in middle school.  Mateo and Cal were hard to like at first, though I did warm to Mateo reasonably quickly when a good deal of his back-story became clear.  However, I won’t spoil it, but I just found Cal difficult and a little unlikeable (though this didn’t change my enjoyment of the story!) Ivy was my absolute favourite character as I completely identify with her perfectionist self and that feeling of never being truly good enough.  I was frustrated with her relationship with her brother and not being the best of her family in just the right way.  As usual, the dark and twisty secrets throughout were compelling.

Gripping and full of suspense!  5 out of 5 stars.

Thank you to Penguin Random House Children’s UK and NetGalley for the e-book review copy.  You’ll Be the Death of Me is out now and can be bought here.